Got app-crazy kids? Apple settlement may get you $5 or more

In-app purchases – the ability to pay for additional features or virtual goods within a program – are convenient for users and lucrative for developers. But until Apple made a change to the way in-app purchases work, it was a nightmare for some parents.

In the earlier version of the feature in iOS, in-app purchases could be made without having to enter the Apple ID password. This resulted in parents downloading what they thought was a free app for their children to use, only to find that their kids had racked up big bills through purchases.

Apple fixed the problem by requiring that users enter an Apple ID password to complete a purchase, but a lawsuit was filed in 2011. On Monday, a settlement was announced that will bring affected users a $5 iTunes credit. But if you can show that your child spent more than that, you may be entitled to more in cash.

Under the terms of the settlement, Apple will offer a $5 iTunes credit to those who claim that a minor bought in-game items without their knowledge or permission. If the amount in question is more than $5, Apple will offer a credit for that amount. If the amount in question is over $30, an Apple user can claim a cash refund.